Saxophonist Gregory Tardy came of musical age in New Orleans, then moved to New York after being picked up by drummer Elvin Jones' band. He found his way into a wide variety of groups — including a long tenure with Andrew Hill during the pianist's prolific final years — and made several albums as a bandleader. Still an international-caliber musician, Tardy has been less visible in the big city since he moved to Knoxville, Tenn., for a teaching position, but he returns here with his own concept and own band.

From the 92Y Tribeca in downtown New York City, Greg Tardy led his band in a double bill with bassist Omer Avital's Band of the East as part of the concert series The Checkout: Live. For the full concert archive of this series, visit npr.org/checkoutlive.